Sharjah, UAE: 24 March, 2017:  An interactive session entitled ‘Youth Energy’ discussed initiatives that support and empower youth in the UAE on the second day of the International Government Communication Forum 2017 (IGCF 2017), currently underway in Sharjah. 

Attendees included His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah, and Sheikh Theyab bin Khalifa bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, as well as Saeed Al Nuaimi and Amira Al-Marzouqi, participants of the South Pole Energy Challenge. The UAE Armed Forces team that climbed Mount Everest was also among the guests.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani said: “This session gathers many of the UAE’s adventurers under one roof. Despite our different journeys, what brings us all together is our passion for overcoming challenges. We hope that this session will motivate the youth to continue chasing their dreams and unleash their true potential. Overall, we are delighted to participate in this successful Forum, which has attracted many distinguished speakers and highlighted important emerging issues.”

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the sixth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) runs from March 22 to 23 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Themed ‘Societal Participation…Comprehensive Development’, IGCF 2017 examines how the world’s nations can leverage effective government communication to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), which have become the top priority of government programmes, international institutions, media organisations and civil society.

Offering a transparent platform to examine current issues and formulate recommendations to help governments optimise the impact of their communication, IGCF 2017 convenes more than 2,500 local and international personalities from the ranks of government officials, experts, thought leaders, and government communication professionals.